When Shao Yunan and Wang Shijing had finished their meal at King Luo Rong place and returned to the General’s Mansion, the people from the Duke of An’s Mansion had already been sent away by the Old General. Jiang Kangchen planned to return to the Jiang Mansion in a couple of days, he wouldn’t hide in King Luo Rong mansion forever. Right now, he wished he could feast on the flesh and blood of the people from the Duke of An’s Mansion.

Before returning, Shao Yunan and Wang Shijing had a private conversation with Jiang Moxi for quite some time. Jiang Moxi was a child prodigy, and certain things needed to be explained directly. Shao Yunan took advantage of this opportunity to effectively conceal the existence of the Immortal Fruit and Spiritual Spring Water. With the so-called immortal fruit roots as a cover, he could easily bring out Spiritual Spring Water and Spirital Milk in the future without arousing suspicion from Emperor Yongming and Empress. Even the most reliable deity wasn’t a family member. With this layer of protection, Wu Jian’s body would surely recover.

With Uncle Yunan and Uncle Shijing’s assurance, Jiang Moxi wasn’t afraid even if his father died. Shao Yunan was very worried that today’s events would cause some psychological trauma to Jiang Moxi. Once a child prodigy developed psychological trauma, there could be severe consequences. Shao Yunan comforted Jiang Moxi for half a day. Jiang Moxi seemed fine, but Shao Yunan couldn’t read his inner thoughts from his face.

Back at the General’s Mansion, Shao Yunan repeated what had happened in the palace to those who were waiting for them to return. Even though Dai Yingsi had already explained, everyone still wanted to hear Shao Yunan say it again. The former Duke of An, Wu Tianpeng, along with his three sons, personally came to the General’s Mansion. However, the Old General did not give them any face. Since the Wu family bullied the children of his Dai family, the Old General didn’t even grant them an audience, which was already giving face considering they had worked together in court for many years. Moreover, the Dai family and the Wu family didn’t have much relationship to begin with. As the saying goes, those who walk different paths cannot make plans together.

The Wu family didn’t know Shao Yunan’s identity, and the Dai family couldn’t afford to show mercy to them. Wu Tianpeng personally came forward with a gloomy face because he was afraid. When Ning Mu mentioned the poison that was pervasive, Wu Tianpeng knew that the Wu family was in danger. However, Wu Tianpeng never thought that General Dai would not even meet him.

Although the Wu family still had their titles, this signal had already shown Emperor Yongming’s dissatisfaction with the Wu family. When the wall collapses, everyone pushes. For a while, the Wu family and families related to them through marriage were all in precarious situations. In contrast, the identity of Loyal and Brave Marquis Wang Shijing rose. When Wang Shijing was still a commoner in Xiushui Village, he and Shao Yunan had the entire Hengyuan Marquis Mansion searched, and the entire family was imprisoned or exiled. Now that he had been newly appointed as the Loyal and Brave Marquis, the Duke of An had become the Second-rank Duke of An, and even the mansion they currently lived in had to be vacated.

It’s said that a thin camel is still larger than a horse. How could the Duke of An’s Mansion, an old aristocratic family that had existed since the founding of Great State of Yan, be easily overthrown by a newly arrived marquis? The Duke of An’s Mansion was considered unfortunate. Emperor Yongming had been dissatisfied with them for a long time, Wang Shijing and Shao Yunan, for various reasons, were protected by influential families in the capital. Now, they were involved in the poisoning of Empress, and this grand mansion was already on the brink of collapsing. Looking at it this way, perhaps Wu Jian, who was demoted to servitude, was the luckiest.

Shao Yunan was tired after a long day. After telling everyone what happened, the Old General asked him to rest in his room. After he and Wang Shijing left, Su Chenyi, who had been silent the entire time, spoke up: “Dad, it’s fortunate that Shao Yunan and Shijing caught the Emperor and Empress’s attention. However, no one can guarantee how long the royal favor will last. I’m afraid of a sudden downfall.”

The Old General said: “There are some things you don’t know about Shao Yunan, and I can’t say. You shouldn’t worry too much about these. Shao Yunan’s ability is not just about getting some rare tea or food. I dare to say that as long as the Emperor is in power, he won’t do anything to Shao Yunan. It’s probably the Emperor who is more worried about his safety than we are.”

Su Chenyi was surprised: “Why do you say that, Dad?” Sitting with them, Shen Bing and Dai Mingge were also very surprised.

The Old General just waved his hand, saying: “You will understand in the future. Even if the Emperor has other thoughts about Shao Yunan, I dare say that as long as the Emperor is in power, he won’t do anything to Shao Yunan. He’s probably more worried about Shao Yunan safety than we are.”

Su Chenyi understood: “So, you mean…”

“When that star appeared, there was a seismic event in Xiushui Village. Now, everyone knows that it was the birth of the Immortal Fruit. Who obtained the Immortal Fruit? Who presented it to the Emperor? Do you still think that star is an unlucky one?”

Su Chenyi shook his head.

“A star that affects the Emperor’s fortune. What do you think the Emperor will do?”

Su Chenyi understood, upon careful consideration, that this nephew of his seemed to be the Emperor’s and the Empress’s lucky star. The Old General stretched his arm and said: “I’m not feeling well; I need to rest. The affairs of the mansion are left to you and your sister-in-law.”

Dai Mingge helplessly said: “Dad, when others hear this, they’ll know it’s just an excuse.”

General Dai confidently declared: “If anyone dares to bully the Dai family, don’t shamelessly come knocking on our door! The Wang family, the Liu family, they are not allowed to enter our Dai family’s gate! And that Zheng family too!”

Dai Mingge was even more helpless. The Zheng family was, after all, the Marquis Zhaoyang’s mansion, and that person hadn’t even officially returned. However, he could only nod obediently and say: “I understand, Dad.”

In the room, Shao Yunan lay on the bed, and Wang Shijing massaged him. Shao Yunan was tired, but he didn’t feel like sleeping. After a while of massaging, Wang Shijing looked at him and asked in a low voice: “Wife, have you slept?”

“No,” Shao Yunan opened his eyes, turned over, and said: “Shijing, do you think we should go back earlier?”

Wang Shijing asked: “Feeling annoyed or missing home?”

“Both. Now, I feel that Xiushui Village is really peaceful,” then Shao Yunan exclaimed: “Forget it, let’s stay in the capital. Xiushui Village is now ours. If we go back, not only won’t it be peaceful, I’m afraid I won’t be able to sleep. Even for you, Loyal and Brave Marquis.”

When he mentioned these three titles, Shao Yunan laughed, and Wang Shijing sighed: “I really didn’t expect it. I thought the Emperor might reward us with some money at most.”

“I didn’t expect it either. I thought they might grant us some land, but who would have thought they’d directly make you a First-rank Marquis. How does it feel, Lord?”

Wang Shijing shivered, and the term “Lord” sounded quite strange coming from his wife’s mouth. Lying down beside his wife, Wang Shijing spoke honestly: “It’s a bit bewildering. I always thought that, at most, the Emperor would grant us some money.”

“I agree with that. I never thought about becoming a marquis. I thought about getting some land, but a First-rank Marquis suddenly bestowed upon you – how does it feel, my Lord?”

Wang Shijing shuddered at the title “my Lord” coming from his wife. Lying down beside him, Wang Shijing spoke honestly: “It’s a bit bewildering. I always thought that, at most, the Emperor would grant us some money.”

“Who says it has nothing to do with you?” Shao Yunan disagreed: “Everything in our family is earned together by you and me. If you weren’t Wang Shijing, if it were another man, do you think I could be as fearless as I am now? Don’t underestimate your position in our family.”

Wang Shijing smiled, and the light in his once-blinded left eye was evident. Shao Yunan nestled on Wang Shijing’s shoulder, and the previous frustration turned into emotion: “Actually, meeting you is really good.”

“I am the fortunate one. Marrying you is the blessing of my three lifetimes.”

Holding Shao Yunan, Wang Shijing felt truly grateful and fortunate. It had been a while since they had been so affectionate.

“Shijing, Little Guo is getting married. How much dowry do you think we should give?”

“Whatever you want to give.”

“When we left the palace today, Eunuch Guo said that King Luo Rong wedding would be grand, and the Emperor plans to make it extravagant. But King Luo Rong also mentioned that when the Emperor married the Empress, there was no grandeur due to the empty state treasury. What do you think that means?”

Wang Shijing thought for a while, uncertainly saying: “The state treasury is probably not that full right now. Could Eunuch Guo mean that King Luo Rong and Zimu’s wedding will need some money from us?”

Shao Yunan looked at Wang Shijing, and Wang Shijing looked at his wife. A few minutes later, Shao Yunan said: “I’m dizzy. Is this too meaningful? Just say the Emperor can’t come up with money and hopes we can contribute some. Who could have guessed that?!”

Wang Shijing shook his head: “Perhaps having this ability is necessary for being an official.”

Shao Yunan sighed: “Alright, it seems I have to figure out a way to earn more money this year. Little Guo won’t get married so soon, right?”

“It won’t be that soon; especially with such a grand wedding, it should be prepared for at least half a year.”

“Half a year… that should be enough. Why do I suddenly feel so poor?”

Wang Shijing felt guilty: “What can I do for you?”

“First, make the experimental base given by the Emperor well. Also, go and collect the land and people given to our family. There’s a lot of work. Think about it; what do you want to plant in all the land the Emperor gave you?”

“Grains must be planted, and the grapes you want. Let’s take it slow; let’s plan together.”

Finally, the two husbands had a bit of time to discuss how to use the many “gifts” bestowed by the Emperor. After thinking that he was about to go bankrupt, Shao Yunan suddenly realized that he seemed to have become wealthy again. Although it wasn’t real gold and silver, the fixed assets were quite valuable. Wang Shijing immediately decided to take a day off tomorrow and bring his wife and children to collect the land deeds the day after tomorrow, taking advantage of the opportunity to get away from the chaos of the capital.

At this time, in King Luo Rong mansion, after talking to his eldest brother, Jiang Moxi refused to sleep with him and went to the courtyard where he used to live with Wang Qing. In an empty room, he indulged in the joy, hatred, and worries about the person he couldn’t meet in the palace.

On the bed, Wang Qing looked at his elder brother, feeling a bit scared. Finally, he couldn’t help but speak: “Elder brother, aren’t you sleeping yet? It’s already very late.”

“You sleep.”

Jiang Moxi played with the Rubik’s Cube, the two-layered Rubik’s Cube that he hadn’t touched in a long time. His fingers moved rapidly, but his eyes didn’t look at the Rubik’s Cube. However, strangely, as the Rubik’s Cube repeatedly completed its state, Wang Qing swallowed his saliva and decided to find his father-in-law tomorrow when he woke up.

 

 

Edited by: Jaisland

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